Meeting with the priest before your wedding
So you have decided to get married in a church and you visit your local priest to discuss the matter. You’ll likely want to ask him a number of questions and because many of us are a little shy or we tend to forget things ,we don’t manage to ask all the important questions. Here we have included a number of things you may want to print off and take with you as a reminder. It is just as important that the priest understands your wedding as you understand the churches policies. We hope you find these helpful and some of the questions you may not have even though of. In no particular order…
Can we marry in the local church even if we are not Christian?
What are our time constraints on the day? Will anyone else be marrying before or after us on that day?
Can I marry someone of a different religion?
Do we need to pay for a church wedding?
Can our guests throw confetti? Although it happens in every movie in which a couple gets married you may be surprised to hear that priests often can’t stand confetti being thrown. Again, another couple may be getting married and either the priest may have to clean it up himself or pay someone else to do so. Others may also ask that you only have biodegradable confetti for environmental reasons.
What music may we have? Is it entirely our choice? and also can we decide on the readings?
This may not be your first marriage. Check you can get married in that particular church.
May we decorate the church with flowers and what are the restrictions?
How many rehearsals do we require and how close to the big day must they be?
Do we require identification? If so what do we need to bring?
Can we write our own vows? You may decide you do not want to obey your husband 🙂
Will our marriage be recognised legally?
Will we be able to take photos in the church and the grounds?
Can we record the ceremony on video? Please do check if this is your intention as some priests may feel a little uncomfortable or have a policy regarding recording.
